by Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY Sports

by Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY Sports

If the U.S. Olympic Committee decides to bid for the 2024 Summer Games, either Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Washington, D.C., will get the final nod.

The USOC narrowed its list to those four cities and will continue in-depth discussions with each before making a decision on a possible bid, and with which city, in early 2015. The International Olympic Committee will select its 2024 host in 2017.

The decision came after a 16-month process, with an early list of about 35 U.S. cities. Dallas and San Diego just missed making the final four, according to the USOC.

"Simplifying the domestic bid process has been a major priority for us," USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said in a statement released Friday. "We were able to have exploratory conversations with a greater number of cities while avoiding unnecessary costs. We're hopeful that through this new process, we can be successful in hosting the Games on U.S. soil, and in turn, have our nation and the world be inspired once again by all of the positive aspects that are truly unique to the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

The USA has not hosted the Summer Games since 1996 (Atlanta). Los Angeles held the Games in both 1932 and 1984. Boston, Washington D.C, and San Francisco have never hosted the Games.